Newbie Needs Help / Support for Swallowing Issue and Anxiety

Hello, All - I'm new to these boards and have been reading various posts about folks with anxiety-based swallowing problems.  I have had an inability to eat other than very soft foods for about 5 - 6 weeks now, and seek feedback, support, whatever, from others who also suffer from this problem.  

I had a bout of the same problem about 23 years ago, when I was under extreme stress at home.  I was only able to eat basically soup, icecream and juices, for weeks.  A barium swallow was negative, and it was determined that my condition was psychological.  Eventually, with the help of a good therapist, I was slowly able to eat normally again.  

Aside from isolated stress-related incidents where swallowing was difficult, I was okay until this past Fall, when it has apparently happened again.  I had a problem swallowing a small pill one afternoon, and coughed and struggled to get it down.  A couple of days later, I was eating pizza, and a piece of the crust seemed to lodge itself in my throat.  Since then, my diet has consisted mostly of cake-like foods, such as donuts and muffins, stuffing and also potatoes and icecream, soup and juices (occasionally).  I was recently able to eat a piece of cheddar cheese, without melting it, which was a victory for me.  But this is going very, very slowly.  

After the pizza incident, I went to the doctor, who, after examining my throat and hearing my symptoms, said he believes it is again, anxiety-based.  (I have a long history of anxiety and ocd-related problems, and this doctor was very aware of that.)   Right after the pizza incident, I became very fearful of eating, and eating even the simplest piece of stuffing was a major struggle.  I would occasionally jump up in mid-meal, in a 'fight or flight' type reaction, feeling I was going to choke, and having to leave where I was and go outside, where I'd call my therapist.  After leaving a message or speaking with her and taking a walk, I'd often feel better enough to go back and try again.

My doctor had told me to take Ativan, saying it would help me eat, but I resisted, as I feared I'd come to depend on it.  Eventually, I took his advice, as the daily struggle to eat was just too upsetting.  I have had some success with the Ativan (a very, very low dose - 1/4 about 1/2 hour before dinner), but can't seem to get to the 'next level.'  I was referred to a psychiatrist for antidepressants / evaluation, and will be seeing her this coming week.  

In any event, I'm frustrated, and do not want to get into a situation where I'm dependent on meds to eat or something.  I am looking also for a support group in my area (NYC).  I would like to hear from folks, to know about their experiences, and also would appreciate any 'tips' or advice as to what helped them, etc.  Thanks for reading.